For the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right ankle on Jan. 6, Mikko Koivu's ability to play in the Winter Games at Sochi, Russia, later this week is in jeopardy.

At least by the Wild's estimation.

The surgery was expected to keep Koivu, the Wild's captain and points leader, out of the lineup for four to six weeks, but team and player soon predicted he would return for the Wild before leading Team Finland at the Games.

Koivu told the Pioneer Press two weeks ago that there was "no doubt" he'd be ready to represent Finland in the Olympics.

But Koivu has yet to practice with the Wild, and coach Mike Yeo said Monday that if he's not healthy before Finland's first game Feb. 13, the Wild don't want him to play in the Olympics.

"First and foremost, if he's not physically capable, then of course we wouldn't want him to go," Wild coach Mike Yeo said. "But at the same time, we would be very proud and honored for him to go over there."

Koivu has been skating on his own for more than a week, but has yet to re-join Wild teammates in practice. After missing practice on Monday, it's unlikely he'll return for the Wild's final pre-Olympic break game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday in St. Paul.

" 'Highly in doubt' would probably be the best way to put it," Yeo said. "He skated on his own again (Monday) and it felt better. He's doing everything he can. He's in great shape, he's doing everything he can.

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The decision as to whether Koivu plays in the Olympics will come down to whether he is medically cleared and feels comfortable.

"It's got to come from the player," Yeo said. "Even if he's medically cleared, but the pain is too much to bear, then (we don't want him there).

"And I don't want to put words in his mouth. I just know that he wants to play, he wants to be over there, he wants to represent his country, and he also wants to look out for the best interest of our team. So there's a lot on his mind right now."